Cabinet agreement to lower voting age is appropriate

TheEdge Sat, Sep 22, 2018 01:23am - 5 years View Original


KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 21): The Cabinet’s agreement to amend the Federal Constitution to lower the voting eligibility age from 21 to 18 years is right and timely.

Senator Mohd Yusmadi Mohd Yusoff said this was a brave move which had to be taken if Malaysia is to be viewed in a new context.

“After 61 years of Malaysia gaining independence, we need to make a decision on the basic things.

“At a glance, reducing the voting age seems easy, but in reality it is not. It involves political rights embedded in the constitution and basic human rights,” he said as a guest on the “Ruang Bicara” programme on Bernama News Channel tonight.

On Wednesday, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was reported as saying to get the two-thirds agreement to pass the amendment, he would be meeting with all the youth Members of Parliament to obtain the two-thirds agreement to pass the amendment regardless of political party to form the Youth Caucus.

Syed Saddiq had said he would also set up a committee comprising youth heads of all political parties in the country to discuss the resolution.

Mohd Yusmadi who is also the former MP for Balik Pulau said world powers had stressed on the aspect of courage among younger leaders in leading their countries.

“Good leaders must be supported by good supporters, enlightened youngsters who are aware of their rights,” he said.

He also hoped the right reformation framework is created to manage the issue (minimum age limit) in line with the current times which requires Malaysia to compete with other nations.

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